On the 3rd of October, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders came together at Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, for the ENRA Science, Evidence and Policy Conference 2025, hosted by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA), Professor Mat Williams.
This year’s conference focused on the draft ENRA Research Strategy 2027–2032, which sets out a mission-led approach to building collaboration, enhancing impact, and ensuring that research investment continues to deliver benefits for Scotland’s environment, people, and economy.
Throughout the day, delegates discussed key priorities including decision support tools, living labs, and embedding impact using a Theory of Change approach. Speakers emphasised that engagement and co-production are central to achieving meaningful impact, with communication and transparency highlighted as essential skills.
The poster session, coordinated by SEFARI Gateway, brought together projects from across the Strategic Research Portfolio, illustrating the diversity and applied impact of research. The posters from the session are available to view on the SEFARI Gateway website and listed below. Prizes were awarded to outstanding posters ranging from peatland restoration to potato breeding. The poster winners are listed below:
First Prize - Oana Petre, Rowett – Social Prescribing for improving Communities Eating Practises
Second prize - Amanpreet Kaur, JHI - accelerated potato breeding using genomics
Third Prize - Gillian Mitchell, Moredun - Does Grazing Peatland Restoration increase livestock Liver Fluke Risk
Early career researcher prize - Grant Henderson, BioSS – Tools to track and control pests and infectious diseases
Despite some disruption caused by Storm Amy, the event successfully connected researchers and stakeholders across Scotland’s research landscape. From nature-based solutions for catchments to climate-neutral farming and living labs for rural innovation, the day showcased how collaboration across the SEFARI collective continues to turn evidence into impact.
Professor Mat Williams concluded, “missions are about action.” The ENRA conference reaffirmed that action happens when science, policy, and people work together to shape a sustainable, resilient future for Scotland.
To see all the posters that were presented during the conference plus a few additional extra please visit the following webpage - ENRA 2025 Poster Presentations | SEFARI